He further warned that the coming days are tough, acknowledging that "the coming days will be

"Let them stop targeting the army and casting doubts...Or else they will regret it when it is too late," Ghosn said. "It is the only unified Lebanese institution left."He further urged political "consensus to address the dangers".

In parallel, the top Lebanese official clarified that "his remarks over al-Qaeda's presence in Lebanon were based on information and were not an act of intimidation.""I am proud that I had previously done my duty by warning in the Parliament of the presence of al-Qaeda," Ghosn reiterated.

As he rejected being questioned on the repercussions of the Syrian crisis on Lebanon, the minister also warned of the effect of the Syrian crisis, saying that it was "now present in Lebanon with all its repercussions, alliances and consequences.""What we are trying to do as a ministry as well as a Lebanese Army is to limit the consequences as much as possible," the minister said.

Moreover, Ghosn mentioned that the Lebanese Army is passing through the toughest stage. "If there were a government, the LA would have been more active."The minister also commented on Sidon clashes led by the terrorist Ahmad al-Assir."The LA couldn't arrest al-Assir before the clashes broke out because he was protected by Lebanese factions. Had the army arrested him, they would have said that a whole Lebanese faction is being targeted."

Ghosn also asserted that "Sidon incidents wouldn't have taken place had soldiers were not been killed in a cold blood," adding that "the army's reaction was natural."As he refused all claims of Hizbullah's interference in Sidon's battles, the Defense Minister highlighted that "with due all respect to all parties, the army's decisions are independent."

"It does not accept to belong to a certain party nor it allows anyone to interfere in an issue that targets the country's security," he confirmed.Regarding the issue of the extension of the term of the army commander, the minister said that it was "better for the extension to go ahead.""I understand the political stances of my allies, but as a minister I support the extension of the term of LF Commander Jean Qahwaji."

Ghosn, who averred that nothing threatens the unity of the army "because it is based on the doctrine and we have full confidence in this institution.""Politicians should be aware that the events should not be lengthened," he said, as he denounced the daily "Israeli" violations to the Lebanese sovereignty."Some are busy to exaggerate ridiculous things, and then demand the disarming of the resistance."

Asked about the recent positions of the Lebanese President over Syria?, Ghosn replied: No comment.

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difficult. The dangers we are facing come mainly from the spread of extremist movements and terrorism."

"Let them stop targeting the army and casting doubts...Or else they will regret it when it is too late," Ghosn said. "It is the only unified Lebanese institution left."He further urged political "consensus to address the dangers".

In parallel, the top Lebanese official clarified that "his remarks over al-Qaeda's presence in Lebanon were based on information and were not an act of intimidation.""I am proud that I had previously done my duty by warning in the Parliament of the presence of al-Qaeda," Ghosn reiterated.

As he rejected being questioned on the repercussions of the Syrian crisis on Lebanon, the minister also warned of the effect of the Syrian crisis, saying that it was "now present in Lebanon with all its repercussions, alliances and consequences.""What we are trying to do as a ministry as well as a Lebanese Army is to limit the consequences as much as possible," the minister said.

Moreover, Ghosn mentioned that the Lebanese Army is passing through the toughest stage. "If there were a government, the LA would have been more active."The minister also commented on Sidon clashes led by the terrorist Ahmad al-Assir."The LA couldn't arrest al-Assir before the clashes broke out because he was protected by Lebanese factions. Had the army arrested him, they would have said that a whole Lebanese faction is being targeted."

Ghosn also asserted that "Sidon incidents wouldn't have taken place had soldiers were not been killed in a cold blood," adding that "the army's reaction was natural."As he refused all claims of Hizbullah's interference in Sidon's battles, the Defense Minister highlighted that "with due all respect to all parties, the army's decisions are independent."

"It does not accept to belong to a certain party nor it allows anyone to interfere in an issue that targets the country's security," he confirmed.Regarding the issue of the extension of the term of the army commander, the minister said that it was "better for the extension to go ahead.""I understand the political stances of my allies, but as a minister I support the extension of the term of LF Commander Jean Qahwaji."

Ghosn, who averred that nothing threatens the unity of the army "because it is based on the doctrine and we have full confidence in this institution.""Politicians should be aware that the events should not be lengthened," he said, as he denounced the daily "Israeli" violations to the Lebanese sovereignty."Some are busy to exaggerate ridiculous things, and then demand the disarming of the resistance."

Asked about the recent positions of the Lebanese President over Syria?, Ghosn replied: No comment.